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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > N55 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > VRSF Catted Downpipe Installed + Review
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      11-29-2018, 07:49 AM   #1
F30NFifty5
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VRSF Catted Downpipe Installed + Review

So for those of you who have followed my previous suspension thread, you may already know I installed my VRSF catted downpipe last Friday at the Stance Shop in Astoria, Queens. I didn't get to drive the car home until last night due to the suspension issues I was dealing with, but now she's back and better than ever.

So let's start with Tiago@VRSF. Tiago got my product shipped out to me way faster than I expected. Packaging was nicely done and the product itself looked great. Love the VRSF logo on the downpipe. Adds to the aesthetics. & I've read all about the poor fitment issues all the N20/26 platforms are having with the downpipes. But there was not one fitment issue we ran into with my n55.

My mechanic did the install in record timing, I feel like it couldn't have been longer than 40 min. Once it was on the lift, he started taking off the OEM cat. The only issue we ran into was that the nut on the C clamp was rusted on. He put the blowtorch to it in hopes that would loosen it up, but it actually snapped in half due to corrosion. Luckily for me he had an extra one laying around the shop because I didn't order a new one with the VRSF downpipe.

First impressions: The note of the exhaust was changed pretty drastically IMO(for the better). Car sounds way more aggressive now and not so tame. I don't understand why BMW manufactures their cars so restrictive, but none the less the catted downpipe gave me the tone I was looking for. Burbles are more pronounced and when I close the valve on the MPE, car sounds stock again.
As for the drive, I feel like there's a lot less back pressure now. Car feels way more responsive. Can't wait to throw JB4 on it and reap some real power gains.
Oh yeah, and no CEL!

Enjoy the pics and the vid

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Last edited by F30NFifty5; 11-29-2018 at 07:56 AM..
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      11-29-2018, 07:50 AM   #2
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OEM Cat

You can see where the clamp snapped in the last pic
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      11-29-2018, 08:35 AM   #3
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sounds nice!
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      11-29-2018, 09:31 AM   #4
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Nice cat with your catted dp
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      11-29-2018, 10:34 AM   #5
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Thanks for taking the time to share your experience!
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      11-29-2018, 10:59 AM   #6
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Wow. The oe cat has to be somewhere around twice as many cells per Sq inch? The tiny honeycomb looks microscopic compared to the 200cell hfc from vrsf.
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      11-29-2018, 11:00 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90705 View Post
Nice cat with your catted dp
lol i was waiting for someone to comment on that
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      11-29-2018, 11:02 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF View Post
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience!
Thank you for the good business.
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      11-29-2018, 11:05 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Logicoeur View Post
Wow. The oe cat has to be so where around twice as many cells per Sq inch? The tiny honeycomb looks microscopic compared to th 200cell hfc from vrsf.
Yeah the difference between the cell size of the two honeycombs are night and day. You can see how restrictive the OE cat truly is.
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      11-29-2018, 11:23 AM   #10
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I wasn't even aware that VRSF made a catted DP for the N55. I have to figure out emissions passing in NY now with my catless
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      11-29-2018, 02:13 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XxThe_RemedyXx View Post
I wasn't even aware that VRSF made a catted DP for the N55. I have to figure out emissions passing in NY now with my catless
Yeah and it was the lowest priced HFC I could find.. Def would recommend.
And although living in NY, Ive had FL registration up until now so i've never had to worry about deleting my cats on my previous car. But if there's a will, there's a way :
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      11-30-2018, 12:21 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XxThe_RemedyXx View Post
I wasn't even aware that VRSF made a catted DP for the N55. I have to figure out emissions passing in NY now with my catless
You have to click the options on Ex-PH site to see it...Vrsf basically admitted there current ones aren't guaranteed no cel....thats why I didn't get one... the new one will be guaranteed (does that include purchased from a vendor or direct only) .... My fabspeed should be here in a couple of days... justifying this new vrsf news with a piece of mind with the fabspeed... figures he comes out with the news 2 days after I bought mine...

For $375 if that is correct is dirt cheap... even maybe worth the risk at this point with that guarantee statement ...

P.s. when I bought my fabspeed... my wife was sitting behind me... I purchased it and 2 minutes later I hear her phone get a notification... She then goes "Did you just spend 1200" ... I said yea... and that was it... so I'm in the clear and keeping the fabspeed
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      11-30-2018, 10:12 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FastF30 View Post
You have to click the options on Ex-PH site to see it...Vrsf basically admitted there current ones aren't guaranteed no cel....thats why I didn't get one... the new one will be guaranteed (does that include purchased from a vendor or direct only) .... My fabspeed should be here in a couple of days... justifying this new vrsf news with a piece of mind with the fabspeed... figures he comes out with the news 2 days after I bought mine...

For $375 if that is correct is dirt cheap... even maybe worth the risk at this point with that guarantee statement ...

P.s. when I bought my fabspeed... my wife was sitting behind me... I purchased it and 2 minutes later I hear her phone get a notification... She then goes "Did you just spend 1200" ... I said yea... and that was it... so I'm in the clear and keeping the fabspeed
Im looking at the vrsf n55 catted downpipe on their website and I dont see a guarantee at all.

Without it being stated on the website im not buying it.
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      11-30-2018, 10:30 AM   #14
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I'm sorry for the confusion, our current catted N55 downpipe offers cel free operation for the majority of members who stay under 450whp. It's the high HP cars have a hard time staying within the constraints of the o2 sensors expected parameters.

Our new offerings for the F20/F30 will feature a Euro6 standard cat similar to other brands mentioned without the BMW tax
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      11-30-2018, 12:50 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF View Post
I'm sorry for the confusion, our current catted N55 downpipe offers cel free operation for the majority of members who stay under 450whp. It's the high HP cars have a hard time staying within the constraints of the o2 sensors expected parameters.

Our new offerings for the F20/F30 will feature a Euro6 standard cat similar to other brands mentioned without the BMW tax
So there's no guarantee? Maybe it will throw a CEL, maybe it won't?
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      11-30-2018, 01:15 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pdegene View Post
So there's no guarantee? Maybe it will throw a CEL, maybe it won't?
No sir, unfortunately we can't offer that guarantee until the re-engineered downpipes are in production but as you can see a few members have attested to CEL free operation with our existing catted dowppipe.

Your results may vary
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      11-30-2018, 01:52 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by pdegene View Post
So there's no guarantee? Maybe it will throw a CEL, maybe it won't?
No sir, unfortunately we can't offer that guarantee until the re-engineered downpipes are in production but as you can see a few members have attested to CEL free operation with our existing catted dowppipe.

Your results may vary
Thanks! Seems like a tune before DP is the best route.
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      12-03-2018, 12:09 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF View Post
No sir, unfortunately we can't offer that guarantee until the re-engineered downpipes are in production but as you can see a few members have attested to CEL free operation with our existing catted dowppipe.

Your results may vary
Tiago question for you. If i got a catted downpipe if running burbles it would burn the cells right? Just trying to make sure if I buy a catted I dont light my car on fire with tunes.
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      12-03-2018, 12:13 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wurstrocket View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF View Post
No sir, unfortunately we can't offer that guarantee until the re-engineered downpipes are in production but as you can see a few members have attested to CEL free operation with our existing catted dowppipe.

Your results may vary
Tiago question for you. If i got a catted downpipe if running burbles it would burn the cells right? Just trying to make sure if I buy a catted I dont light my car on fire with tunes.
Depends how aggressive you adjust / set your burble settings. But wait until Tiago chimes in
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      12-04-2018, 01:30 PM   #20
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I was also wondering the same thing, I plan on getting the catted version and keep the car stock, I have the MPPK so it already burbles a little but i'm just wondering if they'll burn through the cats on this downpipe and throw up the check engine light, otherwise I may as well rather buy a catless one and bm3 just to get rid of the CEL
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      12-04-2018, 04:17 PM   #21
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FWIW, I just replaced my stock cat with a VRSF catless and I had been running medium burbles with the stock cat for ~10000 miles. It didn't look like any damage occurred, and my turbo exhaust side looked great with no play in the bearing. Definitely a lot of carbon build up, but nothing pointing to damage anywhere in the system.
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      12-05-2018, 06:37 AM   #22
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Can you post the readiness checks? Im curious if this will pass NY Inspection. Wouldn't mind pairing this to my other VRSF products.
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